Is Catholicism a distinct religion, or not? If all religions are the same, then, why be Catholic at all?

I have been called Triumphalist, Traditionalist and Doctrinaire, as pejoratives, by Catholic "experts". And I don't mind, for that is exactly what I am. But what, exactly, are they, who so rigidly oppose Catholic Triumphalism, Tradition and Doctrine?

We who are getting on in years remember well the institution of the Novus Ordo Mass. We remember especially the suddenness with which all the new Altars appeared in all the Churches, and all the Priests turned around, turning their backs on the Tabernacle. It was almost overnight. As if by plan. It was as if all those new Altars were all ready and waiting for the signal. It was not gradual at all; it was quite sudden; it could even be described as revolutionary.

And all the changes in all the years that followed, in hindsight, should have been predictable. Nun's habits virtually disappeared, as perhaps the most visible sign of how all differences between Catholics and non-Catholics became, at least, a lot more vague and indeterminate. Those who resisted the changes, or who even sought the path back to Traditional Catholicism, like Mother Angelica, were labeled "Revolutionaries" and openly attacked by all the Catholic "experts", including even Cardinals.

But, which was the real "revolution", between the older way and the new? Look around. Can you now show me the spiritual difference between us and anyone else? Did evil stop existing, somewhere down the line? Did Satan give up, and now everyone is good, and everyone is heaven bound?

Everyone?

Pope Francis and his seemingly undifferentiated and limitless, boundless "Mercy" gives me pause. He is, after all, the Pope.

I was reading the Pewsitter, and found some of the things said by an Italian Priest to be revealing of the new trends being set in the Confessional.

"The Paltry Few Seeking Confession in the Year of Mercy are Indignant, Unrepentant, and Spout FrancisGospel".

And,

"If you start telling God what a bad sinner you are, He won't let you finish before he hugs you". (That's called FrancisConfession.)

The Pope wants everybody to love everybody, as he does, and the world will be a happy place. And it would, if everybody would; but here's the thing:

Evil Still Exists.

This is the world, not heaven, and it will never be perfect, just as man will never be perfect, or perfected in this world, no matter what any Marxist or Islamic liars pretend their ultimate global goal to be.

To culturally "blend" with foreign cultures that intend to take over the world and rule with an iron fist is just suicidally stupid. To theologically "blend" with religions that oppose your religion is likewise suicidally stupid.

Evil Must Be Opposed.

The vast differences between the Latin Mass and the New Mass have been on our minds lately, as they usually are after we've been to a rare Latin Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day. We still miss it so. And the differences are not merely the language used, and the participation of the laity, and the new constant busy involvement in every part of the Mass.

Mostly, we believe, the Novus Ordo is more a Mass of the mind and the intellect, while not exclusive of the heart and soul. And the Latin Mass is more a Mass of the heart and the soul, while not exclusive of the mind and intellect.

The New Mass draws our attention to the Priest, and to each other, much, much more than the Latin Mass. And the Latin Mass draws our attention to the Tabernacle, the Altar and the Miracle, much, much more than the New Mass.

God is present in the Mass, first, in Eucharist, second in the Word, and then in the Priest, and then in us, the laity. And that is equally true in both forms of the Mass. But the emphasis changes, and radically.

Exactly what happened, and not so gradually, to cause the traditional holding that only the blessed fingers of the Ordained Priest could ever touch the Sacred Species, for well over 1,800 years? How did it ever come to be, in such a short time span, than laity could receive Him in their hands, and then, even pick Him up and distribute Him to others?

What's next? Will the laity do the Consecration? Hear Confessions?

These are just my bellyaching thoughts on a sick day, both of us down with flu like symptoms, can't stop coughing, and missing Mass today because of it.

I can't help it. The "blending" and "merging" of Catholicism into an unidentifiable or at least less identifiable very specific religion bothers me far more than any mere illness.

Not feeling very triumphant today.

Poor Vic.

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I expect you are offering this pain and sickness to God in supplication of our sin...

I agree about the "planned" change in our "Catholic faith".. Everything, once SACRED has become base. No differentiation.. It is "Feel Good jesus" (intended capitalization).. "alter(not Altar) calls"... "confession" of sin while thinking oneself "Persona Christi"...

I remember the Priests of our home Parish being simple men, keenly aware of their broken and sinful nature, humbled in God's call to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ... Happy men who had a great sadness descend on them after the "progressive" abuses and corruption in the "leadership" touted by "Vatican II".. People would ask me, "don't you want to be a Priest?" I replied, "and be broken, sad, betrayed like them?... Uh, no way!" I even noticed similar in the Brothers and Sisters as the sacredness of their promises and vows were laughed at, belittled as silly, self absorbed backward thinking, ignoramouses...

It appeared to me this was not of God... So I chose another path... While dark for too long because of my shattered understanding and sheer hopelessness for a long moment, I saw a tiny glimmer of God's light..beckoning .. To one day, as full a human can perceive, God's total, loving embrace....in the Eucharist.. It was then I knew, "I AM"!... Then, "follow ME".. deeper and deeper into the light of His Love..and His tears because of His children's denial, rejection of humility, humble praise and acknowledgement of God and all His presence for "words that tickle their ears".

So, we hear and pray that Almighty God restore your health.. So you not lose sight of your sacred call..

Write the truth... It sets free, but first it makes you miserable...

Your brother in Christ!

Jesus Christ is Lord, forever!

Date: Sun Jan 10 2016From: Vic BiorsethComment:

Dear Reverend Fell:

Thank you; I needed that, very much. We too went through our "dark moment" after Vatican II, and it was Eucharist that brought us back. We went through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, and it didn't "take" for us. (We never spoke in tongues.) We were in all sorts of prayer groups. For me, the closest I came to a "Relationship" was through Lexio Divina, having discovered "Faith comes through hearing ... " (Romans), and then reading John 6, as if present, and "hearing" rather than reading. That was pretty big.

Bottom line, it was Eucharist, for both of us, that brought us back to the Original Relationship of old, the relationship of childhood, the one that was true, and the one that was, once upon a time, properly taught. Everywhere.

We become what we eat. We share in His Divinity.

What can I say? Gimme that old time religion.

Warmest Regards,

Vic

Date: Sun Jan 10 10:15:34 2016From: MariannEmail:Location:Comment:

Dear Vic and lovely wife,

I received a breath of fresh air having watched Mother Miriam on ChurchMilitant. Then, I went to her website: www.motherofisraelshope.org/ and received it again. I too am unable to attend Holy Mass today since I have tooth pain and problems (which hospitalized me for 3 nights and 4 days, ending 2015 and beginning 2016). Ouch! They have a beautiful intro and then Holy Mass if you scroll down a bit on her home page...next best thing to being there.

I pray you both will feel better soon. Please say a prayer for me and my beautiful family.

God bless you, both, and heal you completely, Mariann

Date: Sun Jan 10 2016From: Vic BiorsethComment:

Mariann:

Thank you so much. The Mass of the ages is what it is. The one real thing we can depend upon is the Presence, and the proper way to treat Him, and the proper way to join with Him.

May the Lord lift you and your beautiful family, heal you, be gracious to you and give you peace.

Warmest Regards,

Vic

PS: I now remember Mother Miriam from EWTN episodes where she was the previously Jewish, now very Catholic lady who knew so much about the faith and about life. And now she's a Nun, and a Mother Superior! God is great.

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